THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL MUSTANG IN AND OUT. CAR RUNS AND DRIVES GREAT FOR 36 YEARS OLD. CARPET IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. LESS THAN 50 MILES ON NEW BRAKES INCLUDING NEW CALIPERS IN FRONT AND NEW PADS, NEW WHEEL CYLINDERS AND SHOES IN THE REAR. NEW DRUMS IN REAR AND ROTOR'S IN FRONT. ALL THE GAUGES AND TACH, SPEEDO, HORN, LIGHTS, RADIO WORK. BRAND NEW EXAUST SYSTEM WITH NOS FACTORY MUFFLER AND RESONATORS. CAR HAS AN ALARM SYSTEM AS WELL. NEW STYLE AM/FM RADIO WITH CD AND REAR SPEAKERS

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Muscle cars making a comeback?

By: Derek E.

With the inception of the fifth generation Ford Mustang the muscle car industry came back into vogue. Will it stick around? For years the muscle car has been symbolic of bad boys and street racing which lends them a romantic perception that is hard to deny.

Ford Mustang

2005 showed us a newly redesigned body style reminiscent of the popular 1960's models, thus we gazed upon the first all new Mustang in 26 years. Believe it or not there was a point where Ford considered ending the proud Mustang reign by castrating the pony and reintroducing it as a fuel efficient 4 cylinder pony. Mustang enthusiasts banded together to let Ford know what a mistake that would be and prevailed in keeping the Mustang studly.

Even the interior of the Mustang has a retro feel, with chrome accents and a steering wheel that looks suspiciously like it doesn't contain the safety of an airbag, (even though it does). The back seat boosts more headroom than ever before allowing you to put passengers back there without earning enemies.

Bottom line, the Ford Mustang has always been a sex symbol in it's own right, the 5th generation keeps all its sex appeal and ads some cool back into the mix as well.

Dodge Charger

It's claim to fame being the 1969 model used on the Dukes of Hazzard as The General Lee, the Dodge Charger is the quintessential muscle car.

In 2006 Dodge reinvented the model name with a strikingly retro looking car themselves. The newest Charger is only available in a four door sedan model which may slow some muscle car enthusiasts down. Many of the fans of the two door charger were disappointed to find that the Charger was not introduced as Dodge's answer to Ford's Mustang.

However the law enforcement seems to disagree, and when Dodge introduced their police version of the Charger in 2006 they found their customer base. From right coast to left Chargers are catching up to speeders and pulling them over on highways. This alone says good things about the speed and agility of this snub nosed sedan. Dodge promises to come up with other options to race with the Ford pony.

Pontiac GTO

The GTO has long been loved for its speed and sheer muscle appearance. Until the more recent models turned it into a family sedan type of car. It's most recent re-launch was in 2003, prior to the well received, 60's-inspired design phase.

It's redevelopment has met with unenthusiastic reviews, mainly due to aesthetics. Many fans feel that the boring body style is not fitting of a vehicle with such a rich history and that it's performance is the only jazzy part of the vehicle.

So poorly received was the newest GTO that production ground to a halt, the American market was simply not impressed. With the muscle car becoming a popular item recently, Ford and Dodge managed to earn the market. This does not mean that the Pontiac GTO is dead, in fact rumor has it that in 2009 we may see a fully redesigned GTO, hopefully extending the life of the muscle car craze.

Frankly it's delightful that the youth directed muscle car culture has made its way into fashion again. Engines are being made more fuel efficient, allowing drivers to feel better about pressing (or stomping) on their gas pedals.

Drivers on your mark.

Author Resource:->About the Author:

My name is Paige Filler and I'm a creative writer with a love of all things that go vroom. I do my homework to bring thought and innovation into everything I write about the auto industry.

1973 mustang mach 1 fastback, it runs great and needs no mechanical attention, I drive this car all over with no problems, it has all original parts, it has never been restored except for the interior, I think it has been redone and there are no tears or rips, original wheels.

Basically the owner saved this car from the scrapyard. He replaced all of the following parts with new replacements: Front Fenders, Rear Quarter Panels, drivers door, Taillight panel, Gas Tank, Shocks, New Brakes, new front end steering parts and wheel alignment. He also added some custom touches with a new MACH 1 grille and MACH 1 lower rear valance to allow clearence for the dual exhaust tips.

The outside is finished in a 2 part basecoat white pearl, red racing strips, and a clearcoat top. American Racing Polished Aluminum wheels and new tires finished off the look. Also some custom vinyl graphics along the lower sides. The underbody is undercoated to prevent any rust.

The car isn't totally perfect. Among the known flaws are the new A/C lines need to be installed and the air conditioning charged with 134. Also there is a ground problem with the dash lights that make them appear dim. The light switch has been replaced and they can't seem to find the problem. As the owner put, "This could be someone's very nice daily driver or weekend driver." Estimated that he has over $10,000 in the car.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Some Tips To Help You Find Quality BMW Parts And Accessories

By: Gregg Hall

If you ask a soccer mom if the car she always desired was the mini van that she's currently driving, the answer would probably be a resounding no. Everyone has a car that they have dreamed of owning their whole lives. Some people like old classics, like a '57 Chevy or a '69 Ford Mustang. Other people, such as those with high aspirations, dream of owning a Maserati or Jaguar. Another luxury car at the top of the list for those who want to tool around in style is the BMW. These cars represent status and those who are fortunate enough to own one, drive it proudly, smiling at all of the admiring glances that they get while on the road. Owning one of these cars can symbolize a dream come true, but sometimes that dream can become a nightmare if the car breaks down and the owner has to find parts for it.

If you are in search of quality parts for your BMW, you want to know where to find the best parts for your model of car. It doesn't matter what you need to replace, whether its engine parts, alternator, transmission, exhaust, or mirrors, you will want to know where to find them at economical prices.

Without a doubt, the best place to get BMW parts is through a certified dealer. You can count on them having the part you need in stock, or they will order the appropriate ones for your car. Despite the quality of service and selection, the prices are a little steep for the average consumer. Still some people choose to purchase their parts directly from the dealer so that they know the parts are really BMW parts and not knock-offs. Nothing is worse than paying top dollar for bargain basement parts. In this case, knowing that they are genuine is definitely worth the price.

If you decide to buy your BMW parts from the dealer, you can count on the knowledge and expertise they can provide you. It goes without saying that the mechanics at the dealership will know more about your car part needs than you, and can even assist you with your replacement needs.

If the out-of-pocket cost is more than you want to pay then maybe you should try purchasing your parts online. The internet has thousands of auto part dealers online who offer BMW parts without the BMW costs. The downside to purchasing online is that you run the risk of buying from a dealer who knows less about BMW parts than you. While you are cruising around on the information super highway, you might want to look around for the "how-to" guide for your vehicle. These guides, while not offering you BMW parts, will let you know how to install them when you get them.

While you are tooling around looking for your BMW parts, you might want to keep your eyes peeled for great deals on fabulous accessories for your BMW. Looking online for your parts and accessories is probably the easiest way to go about it. Take some time to do the research and find the best prices for the necessary parts, you won't regret it. Your BMW and your pocketbook will thank you for all your hard work.

Monday, July 19, 2010

How To Save Big Money On Repairs And Auto Parts

By: David Maillie

We all know it is cheaper to fix things yourself. It is the same with a car or truck. The biggest expense with any repair is not the parts, but the labor. It is not uncommon for repair and service shops to be charging $60 to $70 per hour of labor. And they round to the next half hour or hour for any repair. Just go to any new car dealer and ask to have your windshield wiper blades replaced. They will charge you 10 times the price of replacements at your local auto parts store. So anything you can do yourself to save will be a big help. The purpose of this article is to show you some things you can do on your own and how to get the lowest prices on parts so you can save big and put your money towards something better than fattening your local auto dealers pockets.

First off is routine maintenance. Routine maintenance consists of items like oil changes, tire rotations, and similar. Oil changes are a must at every 4000 to 5000 miles for most every car. Do not go by what your dealer says. They want to rev up your maintenance plan and have you doing more than is required. Instead, use your owners manual. If your car did not come with one, than buy one off of Ebay. The owners manual will give you exact recommendations for every service and when and what should be done. For oil changes use Walmart. They charge around $15 for a oil and filter change and will lube your chassis at the same time. They will also check your tires and change your air filter if you desire or need it. They have the best service for the lowest price and at $15 its better to have them do it than do it yourself. Expect to pay twice this at a new car dealer.

It is also a good idea to check your tire pressure at every gas fill up. A tire pressure gauge can be purchased at Walmart or any auto parts store for a few dollars. Proper tire pressure will prolong the usefulness of your tires and help ensure better fuel economy. To most people a under inflated tire is pretty obvious, but a over inflated tire can be just as dangerous as it can lead to blowouts and loss of traction especially in wet conditions (hydroplaning). Also, check your tires for nails, punctures, slashes, anything that could be wrong with it. If you need new tires, be sure to shop around and avoid the new car dealer as they will have a huge markup on them. For instance, 1 ZR Goodyear tire for a 2002 Ford Mustang GT was $289. The same ZR tire with a different make (Kumho) was $100 installed and balanced (the $289 at the dealer did not include installation or balancing. Shop around and look at discount stores. Also look at Costco, Sams club and BJs for tires. If you have an older car and do not care about matching the exact style you can always go to your local junk yard and buy an entire set for dirt cheap. You would be amavzed at what you might find there. A friend of mine picked up 4 tires for a 1999 corvette for $150 and the tires only had maybe 10,000 miles on them if that.

Lights and lighting on your car are an item that is routinely overlooked. If your lights are dim you could have a battery charge, alternator or dim, cloudy lenses. These are all easy to fix. A battery should be checked for its ability to hold charge at least once a year (more in extremely cold climates). An alternator can be replaced very easily, or if you do not feel comfortable a local mechanic can do it. Do not do this at a new car dealer as they will charge at least 300% more. A good tip is to go and buy the part at your local auto parts store and then inquire with the counter clerk as to a mechanic that they recommend to install it. You will save a lot and it will be professionally done. They will probably even come to your house to do it. As to your headlights, turn on your lights. If they are dim, is it the bulb or cloudy lenses? If it is the bulb, the cheapest replacements can be found at Walmart or on Ebay. It is recommended you go with brighter Xeon bulbs as they are only a few dollars more and increase brightness and night visibility by over 20 percent. If it is cloudy headlights there is a new headlight repair and restoration kit that will restore the lenses to new. This will save you big over replacement as the average plastic automotive lens costs $250 to replace.

Checking your fluid levels routinely is a good idea. A lot of cars now will do this for you and will even alert you to when it is time to perform a certain service. It takes 2 minutes to unscrew the oil cap and pull out the dipstick. On older cars you should also look under the cap. Is the oil really dirty, sludge like, or have white in it? These all indicate something needs to be done. The first two mean it is in dire need of an oil change. The latter with the whiteness or light chocolate look means you have a blown head gasket and coolant is leaking into the engine. That is really bad and requires major repairs and can be the result of running a car too hot. Fill all fluids to the fuel full line or indicator. By routinely checking your cars fluid levels you will be ahead of the game and keep your car running better and for much longer.

Another great idea to keep service costs to a minimum and save you big at the same time is to buy 1 to 3 year old used cars with around 30,000 miles on them. Then drive them until you get 100,000 miles on it and replace it. Most major repairs rarely occur before 100,000 miles with proper routine maintenance. Use and follow your owners manual. It was written by the ultimate expert, the people who built, designed and tested your car.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Great Tips on Lowering Auto Insurance Costs

By: David Maillie

With car sales prices continuously increasing, recent hikes in gas prices, and ever present sales and state taxes on our cars it has become vitally important to find ways to save money and keep costs down.

One way to save money is to monitor your auto insurance and make sure you are getting the best deal possible. This may sound trivial, but can easily add up to savings of hundreds and possibly even thousands of dollars over the next few years.

First make sure you are taking advantage of all discounts available to you through your insurance provider. Many insurance companies have good driver history discounts. If you haven't been in an accident or made a claim in several years make sure your agent adds this deduction - typical savings are 5-15% (easily $100-$400+ in savings per year).

For an additional discount some insurance companies like Progressive and Geico offer discounts for sponsored driving classes. Make sure you check with your insurance company to see which ones it accepts. Many of these classes are free or offered at minimal cost by your local DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) or DOT (Department of Transportation). For a listing, contact your insurance company and then your state departments (DMV and DOT). These classes also work great for reducing points on your license from minor infractions (speeding, running a red light, etc...). Definitely get as many points taken off as possible. These points can increase your insurance rates 50-100% or more in some cases.

Some insurance companies like Geico, Allstate, and Progressive have recently come out with good student discounts. The requirements can vary so be sure to check with your insurance company. This could amount to an additional savings of 5-10% on your annual premium. Keep in mind traffic offenses can and will nullify this and most other discounts, so drive safely.

Shop around for the best rate. I can't stress this enough. Every few years just check and see what other insurers are offering. You could see huge savings here and it may have nothing to do with your driving record. Some insurers just have lower claims for a particular model car and therefore will have a lower rate for that car. Just to see the difference call several insurance companies for quotes. You will see a huge range.

When I had a 2000 Ford Mustang GT convertible I was paying over $4000 per year in insurance with Allstate then I checked and found Progressive offered the same coverage for only $1400 (a 75% difference in my premium). Now, that's not to say that Allstate is a bad insurer, they just have higher claim costs associated with that vehicle and a driver of my age. So, make sure you shop around and definitely check the online insurers like Progressive and Geico as they tend to have lower premiums. Also see what impact raising your deductible will have on lowering your premium.

These items might also seem trivial, but will save you money. Pick a car with lower theft rates and lower premiums. A 4 door 4 cylinder car (Toyota Corolla) will almost always have a much lower premium than the latest 8 cylinder 2 seater sports car (Mustang GT (2+ 2 seating)). It will also get you better gas mileage which in a year could amount to a savings of hundreds of dollars in it self. Stay away from convertibles as they always have higher insurance premiums. Drop unnecessary coverage like collision on an older car. Also stay away from cars with high theft rates (Honda Civics and Accords tend to have some of the highest theft rates and unfortunately you will pay for that with higher premiums and don't think you won't.)

One more thing, don't speed, don't drive drunk (I don't need to tell you what that will cost you (it could even cost you your life), stop for all school buses, wear your seat belt and obey the rules of the road. You will be glad you did.

Author Resource:-> David Maillie is an alumni of Cornell University and specializes in automotive safety products and information. He holds numerous patents and awards for his patented headlight cleaner and restorer. For more information please visit MDWholesale.com

Saturday, July 17, 2010

How To Decide If You Need An Extended Warranty For Your Car

By: Gregg Hall

Your vehicle dreams have come true. You are now the proud owner of a brand new Ford Mustang, but as you sign the last remaining forms, the car salesman asks you if you are interested in purchasing an extended warranty for your vehicle. Initially, you think that the cost is a little too high for you, and that you will never need it. Your vehicle is brand new, and the technological and engineering marvel of the market today. What could possibly go wrong?

Unfortunately, your lofty ideas of vehicle invulnerability are flawed. There is more risk to owning a vehicle than you think. Somewhere out there in that world of automobile chaos, is a vehicle door waiting to ding your vehicle in a parking lot. You should consider buying the extended warranty, because the cost of the warranty now is considerably less than the cost of a whole new transmission, should it decide to malfunction.

Before you make a final decision regarding the extended warranty, you should consider whether or not you will have the money in the future to pay for any eventuality that isn't covered by the manufacturer's warranty. Not having a warranty for your vehicle is like being a stuntman without health insurance, it isn't a smart move. In order to get a grasp of the severity of your need for a warranty, take a gander at the list of parts that your vehicle needs to function. Thousands! If any one of them fails, the system that particular part is a part of can fail and leave you high and dry. That extended warranty is looking a little better now, isn't it?

Part Repair is Cheaper than Vehicle Replacement

Take my advice; I'm the CEO of a small business with a fleet of vehicles. I have personally bought over 18 vehicles in the past 2 years. With all the vehicle buying I do, I realize that buying the extended warranty is a good deal, so I do. It doesn't matter if the vehicle is new or used; I know that the cost of the warranty is substantially cheaper than replacing a vital part when it breaks. Consider, not only the cost of the repair, but also the time needed to do it. This means that your vehicle is out of service for weeks, and you have to go through the hassle of bumming a ride everywhere.

I was lucky. Purchasing extended warranties on my vehicles has saved me tons of money. Fortunately, I haven't had to use my warranty for more than a few repairs, but those are repairs that I didn't have to pay for out of pocket. In the long run, the extended warranties have saved my company from capital loss, over and over again. I can tell you, it's nice to know that my vehicles are covered if the unfortunate should happen.

Muscle Cars: Cars With An Attitude

By: Alex Baumm

Eleanor is not a person but a muscle car. This Gone in 60 Seconds 1967 Mustang is the complete embodiment of what muscle cars are all about.

Usually powered by a V8 engine, muscle cars were monsters of drag racing world back in the 1960 s until early portion of 1980 s. With extremely powerful torque, these cars are really going to give you a jaw dropping ride. Muscle cars are no doubt fast cars with high horse power capability.

The moment you look at such cars, the first things you will see are their bulky curves and high performance z rated tires which are true affirmation of the reputation that muscle autos are very much known of.

Muscle cars are different from sports cars we have today though some models are inspired by cars like the Ford Mustang. Though sports cars are fast cars like muscle autos, they surely won t last a minute with the supreme torque that muscle autos have which perhaps makes Eleanor the perfect Gone in 60 Seconds car.

The interiors of muscle cars are real statement of high performance, road warrior type of vehicle. The almost nil sign of elegance and the all heart pumping design of muscle autos interiors match their rock and revving integrity that many a cars today try to copy but all in futility.

The moment you turn it on, you can t help but notice the fiery breathing of muscle car s engine. The hissing and guzzling is like that of a dragon sleeping always ready to get the tracks burning.

When you hit the gas, the dragon s V8 engine charges in an instant ready to devour all things that block its way... just like when vin Diesel of The Fast and The Furious rages against the wall and hits the road with such awesome roar.

If what you are looking for is the car with an attitude that never allows being a second rater, muscle autos are the right choice. But prepare to be awestruck with the price because as of now it s of a collector s item kind of thing since you can not easily find one in the market.

However, there are companies and groups that want to bring back muscle cars on the road and these groups are actually buying old muscle autos and reconditioning them to make them roadworthy again.

There are a number of reconditioned muscle cars that can still be found nowadays. There is the all time favorite 1966 GT 40, 1970 Superbird, 1968 Shelby GT500KR Fastback or 1969 Barracuda Convertible. These models of cars were once kings of the road in the 1960 s up to early part of 1980 s.

Although muscle autos are now rare species, there are a number of clubs that relive the greatness of muscle cars. These groups stage races and events all with the purpose of having some fun and reminiscing those days when muscle autos ruled the streets.

And thanks to the Internet, people around the world who share common interest in muscle cars now have a dependable means to showcase the glory of muscle autos and allow the younger generation to see the real muscle in high performance driving via muscle cars.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

1972 FORD MUSTANG FASTBACK. HAS THE 351 AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A CLEVELAND. HAS THE MOTORCRAFT 2 BARREL CARBURATOR. NO COOLANT LEAKS. NEVER RAN HOT. ITS A FACTORY A/C CAR. DOES NOT HAVE COMPRESSOR. 4 SPEED AUTO. RUNS AND DRIVES GREAT. STARTS RIGHT UP AND IDELS SMOOTH. IT HAS NEW TIRES. I JUST BOUGHT A SET OF BEAUTY RINGS AND CENTER CAPS FOR IT. IN THE TRUNK ARE 4 MORE BEAUTY RINGS AND 3 MORE CENTER CAPS. BRAKES ARE IN GREAT SHAPE. INTERIOR IS IN GREAT SHAPE. NO RIPS OR TEARS IN THE UPHOLSTERY. HOOD, TRUNK, AND DOORS OPEN AND CLOSE EASY. WIPERS WORK. ALL WINDOW ARE FREE FROM CRACKS. THE FASTBACK GLASS IS VERY CLEAN. WINDOWS GO UP AND DOWN EASY. DRIVES GREAT, STEER WITH ONE FINGER. HAS DUAL EXHAUST WITH CHROME TIPS. HAS SHACKELS. ALL LIGHTS WORK. WEVE BEEN DRIVING IT AS IS TO OUR CAR CLUB MEETINGS AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT. SINCE IVE HAD IT, ITS BEEN KEPT INSIDE MY SHOP WHEN WE WERE NOT ENJOYING IT. ITS NEVER SEEN RAIN WITH ME. THIS IS A GOOD SOLID CAR.

The engine and engine bay ewer completely redone, from date coded hoses and clamps to the battery to power steering pump and hoses and coil, alternator to all the belts. The AC Compressor Unit was painted and tagged with all new hoses too. New radiator was replaced with new dated coded hoes too. The front end was redone upper and lower arms, springs and front and rear shocks brakes and brake hoses too.

The interior was also redone. The carpet was replaced with new ginger Mach 1 carpet (found "Built Sheet" see below). The seats (front and rear) were redone with new foam and new ginger Mach 1 covers. (I still have the original seat covers in a box). The floor was solid as a rock. The head liner was not redone, but is in excellent shape. The am radio was changed to am/fm 8-track tape player (still have am radio in box). All the interior light bulbs were changed to LEDs (green) lights.

The body is solid (no rust). All the original panels (with front body tag). The paint is good (6F) special order Glow Gold paint. The passenger front fender was repainted before me. I did nothing to the exterior of the Mach 1 since I have had the car. I installed the Ram-Air (which is completely working) and the front hood pins. The tires are brand new, with less than 100 miles on them. They are BF Goodrich 15x225 60's. The rear bumper was replaced in 2007 and the dual exhaust came with the Mach 1 and is also in great shape.

I have a Marti Report (Deluxe) in a frame that comes with the car. I found the "Built Sheet" under the front seat when I redid the interior last year. Please see "Mustang Monthly" August 2009 page #10 to see the Built Sheet. Other sites to see the Mach 1 are Garden State Region Mustang Club website and/or the Dogpound cruiser.com website as well.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

This 1972 light metallic pewter MACH 1 has had a meticulous restoration in 1999. Everything has been replaced or rebuilt. The original 351 Cleveland block has been bored 0.30 over and balanced with 1971 CJ heads and exhaust, mild cam, Edelbrock intake and Edelbrock 600 CFM carb. The FMX transmission has also been rebuilt. The car has a 9 inch rear with 350 posi gears. The car is equipped with front and rear spoilers, ram air, rear defrost, power front disc brakes, power steering, working clock and am radio. Also has the MACH 1 deluxe interior with tach, speedo, gas, oil amp, and temp gauges. The car has 15 inch Magnum wheels with BF Goodrich TA tires. I have owned this car since 1998 and have the original window sticker and all the paper work from the restoration in 1999. This car has won numerous awards in Southwestern Ontario, Central and Eastern Michigan, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Northeastern New York nad Nashville TN. This car is extremely reliable and is in "EXCELLENT DRIVER CONDITION".

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

RARE 1972 TRUE MACH 1 MUSTANG, THIS IS THE RARE Q CODE CAR AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. THE BODY IS BEAUTIFUL WITH THE STOCK REAR SPOILER AND FRONT SPOILER PACKAGE. THE PAINT IS BRIGHT RED AND NICE. THERE ARE NO SCRATCHES IN CAR. I TOOK A MAGNET TO BODY AND IT STUCK TO EVERYTHING. THE CHROME BUMPER LOOKS BRAND NEW STILL. HAS THE MACH 1 HOOD WITH RAM AIR EMBLEMS. PAINT IS ABOUT 6 YEARS OLD. THE TRUNK AND UNDERSIDE ALSO IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. HARD TO FIND ANY CLEANER UNDERNEATH, I TOOK PICTURES BEST I COULD BUT DONT HAVE A CAR HOIST. HAS NEW FULL STAINLESS DUAL EXHAUST SYSTEM EXITING REAR OF CAR. THE TRUNK HAS FULL TRUNK MAT. I TOOK OUT TO TAKE PICTURE OF TRUNK. THE INTERIOR IS STOCK WITH BEAUTIFUL BLACK RECLINING BUCKET SEATS WITH NO RIPS OR TEARS AT ALL. THE BACK SEAT VERY NICE ALSO. HAS NEW CARPET AND CAR HAS THE FULL MACH 1 RALLY PACKAGE. HAS BUILT IN DASH TACHOMETER. WITH STOCK IN DASH OIL PRESSURE AND TEMP GAUGES PLUS ALT GAUGE. HAS NEW B&M PRO MATIC 2 RATCHET SHIFTER. {PLEASE SEE INTERIOR PICTURES}. CAR HAS THE BEAUTIFUL AND NEW RUNNING 351 4 BARREL AND HAS BEEN REBUILT WITH ONLY 4200 MILES ON IT. CAR RUNS PERFECT AND IS VERY FAST. SHIFTS SMOOTH AND NEW. THE OIL PRESSURE IS AT HIGHEST LEVEL EVEN WHEN HOT AND IDLING. THIS ENGINE STARTS UP IN SECONDS EVEN WHEN SITTING FOR WEEKS. IDLES SMOOTH AND SOUNDS AWESOME. AND DOES NOT EVEN NEED TIME TO WARM UP THAT IS HOW NICE CAR TRULY RUNS. HAS NEWER BRAKES AND SHOCKS, HAS OLDER CHROME CRAGAR SS RIMS WITH KELLY WHITE LETTER TIRES.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

How To Choose The Right Body Kit

By: Mike Briglia

Before you can start working on your exciting project, you will have to make a choice of which type of body kit you want to purchase. There are a lot of choices out there, so I have done some research for you and hope to take some of the guesswork out of the process.

The major players in the body kit game are: Wings West, Extreme Dimensions, Kaminari and Xenon. Ask around; see which kits your friends or competitors have used. Do you like your body kit? Are you happy with the decision they made? Is your body kit shown in movies like The Fast and the Furious? Why do you like it and why dont you like it? Our friends are loaded with useful information in this area.

Wings West body kits and ground effects are among the best in the world. They have a great reputation and for good reason it is well deserved. They are especially well known for their great fit on your car and they use premium materials made out of urethane which is similar to what your OEM parts are made of (very flexible). Wings West has an especially great line of bumpers and bumper covers, wings and side skirts. The company is renowned for its award winning work on Ford Mustangs, Dodge Chargers and Honda Civics, though their kits are made to work with numerous other makes and models.

Kaminari produces body kits and ground effects and has a reputation for turning cars into aerodynamic replicas of current-day race cars, and uses your existing body lines to make any components that are added appear to flow with your new body lines. They make the car look like it was built with the body kit in mind the whole time. Though many of Kaminari parts are made of urethane, their fiberglass body kits are probably the best quality kits on the market. If really great fitment is important to you, Kaminari may be the way for you to go.

Extreme Dimensions is another company that turns out high quality and very efficient body kit materials. These fiberglass and Duraflex beauties are made entirely for the showoff and they will get your vehicle to grab a lot of attention. They are aggressive, sleek and they give the impression you are topping the speed limit by more than the customary ten-miles per hour.

Xenon delivers first-class urethane body kits. From accessories to full body kits, Xenon has products from fender flares to a large variety of hood refinements, especially for the Hummer H3. Xenon body kits are made of urethane materials and focus is on the overall end appearance and fitment on the vehicle.

Making the choice that is right for you is the most important thing. Doing a little homework upfront will pay off in the end, and you will be happy with your choice. You can usually find all of these body kits and many other car and truck accessories online and you can get them shipped right to your front door.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Why Ford Has Long Been A Popular Vintage Brand

By: Gregg Hall

Ford has and always will be the number one company to buy a vehicle from. Since I started driving all my friends have had Ford trucks and they have been as old as my cars if not older and my cars always tended to break and stop running before their old truck did. One of my friends had a Ford F-150 that was like a 1992 with 180,000 miles on it and he was still running it hard and strong until he traded it in for a newer ranger. The point is that Ford trucks and all other models last a long time and that is the way they are built to last a long time, built Ford tough. So if you wanted a vintage car and you thought they would break down on you then you just need to buy one to see for yourself.

Ford has been right behind if not two steps ahead of every other company that has been making cars since Ford has been. If Ford didn't make it then nobody made it because Ford was always the first one to come up with the main designs. Why do you think you see so many Fords on the roads today because it is the number one company and brand of vehicle preferred by most people in the United States? It is just the way the United States is Ford has been here for a long time and it is going to still be here for longer.

Ford didn't just keep producing cars one after another they kept up with everyone else and produced some of the world's best cars. Ford is used everywhere and it is the number one truck that will keep running. I just think Fords motors run a long time and there is something that they do to keep them that way that I wish I only knew.

Their good reputation has put them at peace with the public and you now see everyone driving either a Ford turbo diesel or you see them driving the Ford SUVs. You are always going to see someone driving a Ford.

There were a few other models that were made back in the 50s and 60s but none of them really hit it hard like the other models did. The other models that I am speaking of are just a few but I can only think of one right now and it's the Ford thunderbird. These were old and you will still see people driving them around today.

Another car that you will see everywhere is the Ford Mustang. Mustangs are everywhere and even though it doesn't like them at all they are still fast once they have about a 50 trim turbo on them. Mustangs are just another car that you are going to see everyday everywhere.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Will The New Knight Rider See Sunny Days At The Rating Places And Reviewers

By: Kyle Newton

In 1982, David Hasselhoff was launched to stardom with the debut of the television series Knight Rider. Knight Rider was a story about a modern day Lone Ranger named Michael Knight who was formerly Officer Michael Long, until he was nearly killed in duty and resurrected by a group called FLAG (Foundation for the Law and Government).

FLAG was founded by billionaire Wilton Knight, who was a philanthropist and owner of Knight Industries. When Wilton Knight dies, Michael vows to continue his work.

Long had been shot in the face and needed reconstructive surgery, not just to improve his face, but to hide his old identity from the public. This was also used to explain why there were two different actors playing the same actor, because the pilot featured Larry Anderson as Knight, with David Hasselhoff replacing him.

For many, the actual star of the series was KITT, which stood for Knight Industries Two Thousand. KITT was a talking computer system that was attached to a Ford Firebird. KITT was popular due to the fact that he seemed to have his own personality. However, despite the show's popularity, it was cancelled after its fourth season.

There were three attempts to bring the series back after the cancellation. Two of which had Hasslehoff reprise his role as Michael Knight. However, no series was picked up and the third didn't have Hasselhoff at all. However, after the release of the 2007 Michael Bay film Transformers, NBC realized the potential that the series had once again. And so, production on an updated version of Knight Rider began, only it would not reboot the series, but instead be a sequel of sorts to the series.

The film is about Michael Traceur, the estranged son of Michael Knight who has been brought on by FLAG. Knight Rider will feature a new version of KITT as a brand new Ford Mustang. The film is set to serve as a backdoor pilot for a potential new series. KITT is to be voiced by Will Arnett, perhaps best known from Arrested Development and Blades of Glory.

The movie will have Justin Bruening as Michael Traceur and will feature the return of David Hasselhoff as Michael Knight. KITT is set to have updated features such as internet, GPS, self regeneration and damage repair. The television movie is set to debut February 17th on NBC.

Author Resource:-> Kyle Newton Ask's that you rate this subject at ratingHQ.com

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Importing U.S. Cars To Europe

By: Daniel Millions

Not to discredit the excellent automobiles manufactured in Europe, there has been a sharp increase in the number of American cars being imported into the continent. Whether for the prestige of owning a rare American sports car or the savings that the depreciated Dollar has created in exchange rates, more and more Europeans are embracing the American automobile as their transportation of choice.

Purchasing an American import from a licensed dealer is different from a private purchase and shipment of an American car to Europe. Whereas the import company has already dealt with shipping costs, value added tax and new country registration, the private citizen may find all possible savings gone by the time all this extra expense is added into the initial purchase price.

Chrysler Group CEO Dieter Zetsche feels that the European market for American cars is at a point where it can now compete with traditional continental motor brands and find great opportunities for advancement. Their new release of the Dodge Caliber is expected to undersell traditional models from between five to 15 . Cadillac has always had difficulty in competing with the European model luxury cars. Now the release of the diesel engine BSL model Cadillac has shown itself to be an exceptionally affordable choice for discriminating drivers.

The new demand for American cars in Europe has lead several continental manufacturers to partner with American motor companies to build some of the European sold American models in their own factories. This makes for even greater savings for the consumer as they do not have import taxes added to the total price of the vehicle.

Even the Asian automobile manufacturers are finally becoming in demand in Europe. Toyota Motor Manufacturing has long held a premier spot at the top of the American market. This reputation for quality and afford ability has migrated to Europe to the point they are now shipping over a half a million vehicles to the continent annually. With the proven fuel efficiency of the Toyota brand vehicles and their excellent in city performance, Toyota anticipates eventually dominating the urban market.

While the new car market is growing at a rapid pace, there is still a large market share for imported used American cars. American motor sports and Hollywood movies have introduced Europeans to the wide and often unique aspects of the sport car culture. The prestige factor in driving a Ford Mustang, a Chevrolet Z 28 or wandering the French wine country in a Jeep Cherokee or Hummer is irresistible to some discerning Europeans.

One problem that has arisen from this increased interest in non European vehicles is that occasionally private importers will start bringing in vehicles that the manufacturer had not intended for the European market. Recently Nisson Motors has attempted to push lawsuits over the importation of their GT R series vehicle. They were not planning on offering the GT R in Europe until 2009 and are seeking to stop import companies from bringing in the models that were intended only for the Japanese market. They warn that none of their European staff have any experience working on the GT R nor would they honor any warranties of these vehicles on the continent.

This demonstrates one of the most overlooked areas of importing cars from other countries. You must be sure you have an adequate supply line for repair parts and support of the manufacturer to get the best and least expensive service out of your vehicle.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

A Look At The New Old Mustang-The Mustang With The Retro Body

By: Gregg Hall

Ford was smart to introduce its new Mustang and it was a good year for the 2005 Ford Mustang that made good sales in the sports car venue. The new Mustang GT, which came with V-8 power, started its pricing at $24,995 with a 300-hp motor. Even though this was the only car with a stock 300hp motor in its class any import tuner can put down more power then any mustang.

Perhaps one of the best selling and most notorious models of the Mustang is the V-6 model. The car is at almost 20 grand and comes with a V-6 motor. Ford has always given what the consumer wants but also hasn't given anything turbo charged yet that I have seen. Hopefully this new Mustang can give drivers what they are looking for in a car and if not they can resort to tuners which are and can be the best of the best. Here are some of the many details about the new Mustang that you won't see anywhere else.

It has 16-inch aluminum rims that are cast, the rims are painted to give it flair and show some diversity. It gives you four disk power brakes with all season type of tire but you can change them and get better tires which is recommended . It has huge rotors and calipers to handle the speed that the car will be slowing down from at some points during ownership. Still, you can get upgrades such as a BREMBO big brake kit.

Air-conditioning goes stock with the car and it also comes stock with a rear window defroster as well. Dual power locks and windows come stock in the new mustang.

The new Mustang comes with a 210-horse power motor that makes 4.0 liter SOHC V-6 engine. Probably produces around 200 feet pounds of torque. Also comes stock with a 5 speed manual transmission also can be bought in automatic with electronic overdrive.

More features come stock like power windows, power locks, key less entry, rear wheel drive so it can be used to drift if you want, leather depending on package. There are many features to the new mustang.

Ford also provides the system in which if involved in an accident the air bags will automatically deploy to try and save your life. The buyer or owner can add anything they wish to the car to make it unique. It is advised that you customize the car and make it the way you want it.

Even though there is the Mustang there are many other cars that are beyond what the Mustang can give you. The Supra is a good one, 240sx with a swapped motor is a good one there are a number of cars that you can buy to compensate with a mustang. Like the Nissan Skyline comes with a rb26dett stock and produces over 270 horse power stock and over 280 feet pounds of torque without any upgrades.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Ford vs Chevy: The Debate Goes On

By: Adrian Adams

We have all seen then the bumper stickers that say I would rather push a Ford than drive a Chevy. For many people, it is the truth. There is a great deal of consumer loyalty when it comes to Ford and Chevy. In fact, there is even a Playstation 2 game called Ford vs. Chevy. It may have to do with owning a particular vehicle that excelled so they stayed with that manufacturer. Maybe their family owned Ford's or Chevy's and they went with what was familiar.

Ford and Chevy continue to be stiff competitors out there. Ford does seem to excel though in many areas. If you want speed the Ford Mustang will out do the Chevy Corvette hands down. Chevy is in the process of making a come back with the Chevy Camaro but fans of the Camaro aren't taking to the new design very well.

Ford Pickups are available in a variety of sizes from small trucks to large work trucks. The Ford F-150 is their basic full size truck, but they have smaller models, such as the Ranger, and larger models like the F-850 for super heavy duty hauling. Chevy has several of them as well. The safety ratings for Ford are slightly better though when several of the same style of pickups were compared to each other.

Mini vans are very popular these days as they look sporty and they offer plenty of room. The Ford Windstar and the Chevy Venture both offer plenty of room. Yet the Ford Windstar is more stylish and offers more features.

Ford also has the Ford Escape, which Chevy does not really have a good answer to. The Escape has good mpg, at about 24, but it still has the power to tow 3,500 pounds with the towing package. It's a great vehicle for anyone who does need the extra room and towing power larger SUVs offer, because the Escape is great on gas, easy and fun to drive, and affordable.

Price is always a big concern when purchasing a new or used vehicle. The cost of used vehicles really depends on the quality of the vehicle and the amount of miles on it. New vehicles are pricey, but Ford and Chevy often compete to get business. I can almost guarantee that if you tell the Ford dealer how much Chevy quoted you for a similar vehicle of theirs, they would meet or match the price. If they won't, you can go to another dealer, or ask for concessions to make the deal more attractive to you.

In many areas such as price, speed, and safety, Chevy appears to have some catching up to do. One problem they have is they always seem to be following in the footsteps of Ford rather than introducing something new to attract new customers. While the age old debate between Ford and Chevy owners will continue on, it is important to base that decision on some solid facts. Just because your grand-daddy said that Ford was the best doesn't mean that they still are. And it certainly doesn't mean that Ford is better for the particular type of vehicle you are buying.

You can find excellent information on Ford and Chevy comparisons in Consumer Reports, safety ratings, and various online resources. Make sure you look for unbiased information though or you will end up with nothing more than the opinion of the reader.

As you can well guess, most reviewers are biased in a review like this. Safety ratings, MPG ratings and other figures are good things to look at when comparing. Don't forget though, that there can be a good deal of variation from model to model and from year to year. So it's very important to compare apples to apples. Don't try to compare a 2007 Ford Explorer to a 2003 Chevy Blazer.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Nissan Skyline GT-R: The Prince!

By: Adrian Adams

The Nissan Skyline GT-R was originally called the Prince. GT-R stands for Grand Turismo Racer. The decision was made to separate the R to make it known this is a racing vehicle. Another version the GT-B was also introduced, the B standing for Berlinetta.

The Nissan Skyline GTR originally came out in the 1970's but it didn't do well. In 1973 production was halted until 1989. It came out in full force, with a reputation as being a powerful racing car to be reckoned with. This car has an edge in the racing sector because it offers hydraulic on demand four wheel drive and four wheel steering. The Nissan Skyline GT-R underwent many design changes in 1989 to be a top contender in the areas of speed and control. Production of this vehicle was halted again in 2002.

Owners of the Nissan Skyline GT-R take pride in owning such a vehicle. There are numerous clubs for owners of these vehicles. They have even made modifications to the cars to make them even faster. They have websites that advertise racing, vehicles for sale, repair information, and general discussions. Most of these cars have a high resell value because of the limited number of them manufactured in any given year.

These Nissan Skyline GTR enthusiasts take pride in the variations of their car from year to year because the production specifications kept changing. An evolution of the engine was done in 1990 and only 550 cars were produced. The engine was vamped again in 1991 with only 228 cars manufactured. A V-spec was added to the brake system for 1993. The 1994 Nissan Skyline GT-R had a change to the width of the tires.

For 1995, the Nissan Skyline GT-R got a sportier look to the exterior. The suspension was also improved upon to give the car more ground clearance. The special edition was released in 1997 with an upgraded engine, suspension, and exhaust. This car handled unbelievably well at speeds of over 200 miles per hour! For 2000, the car got a face lift with the interior being changed from grey to black. The console area was also widened. The car remained the same except it was shortened some through 2002.

Part of the reason production was stopped for this vehicle is because it has never met the requirements of the US until now. Motorex has announced a street legal Nissan Skyline GT-R is ready for release. It is expected to roll out internationally later in 2007 with a 2008 model. This car comes with some body changes but it is still easy to maneuver and very fast.

Are you looking for a car that is incredibly fast and has an awesome design? The Nissan Skyline GT-R in the past has only been seen in the racing world, especially the underground street racing circuit. It became well known for speed and being easy to handle because of having rear wheel drive options.

This 2008 model will feature a V-6 twin turbo engine, to keep the overall weight of the vehicle low. This will help it maintain speed. It will have 450 horsepower and still meet all the emission regulations. The pistons and connecting rods are made of forged steel. You will also see an improved turbocharger layout and output. Models of the 2008 Nissan Skyline GT-R will be available at various car shows during 2007. You can also start ordering them through dealerships around August of 2007. It is going to be a huge competitor to the Ford Mustang and the new Chevy Camaro that will be out in 2009.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Cars In The Movies

By: Vicki Churchill

Since movies were first screened cars has featured heavily in them.The Movie Bullitt released in 1968 starring Steve McQueen although probably not the first movie to feature a car chase was undoubtedly one of the original car movies of all time.

Audiences were stunned by the intense and dramatic footage of a Ford Mustang and Dodge Viper screaming through the streets of downtown San Francisco.

Many movies have featured dramatic car chase scenes. In 1971 The French Connection, a thriller about two NYC cops in the narcotics bureau starred Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider. The film featured a thrilling car chase through busy streets of which the film is ultimately remembered for.

You would be mistaken to think the only reason cars would ever feature in movies would be for the sole purpose of an exciting chase. You would of course be wrong as many films have not only included cars in them but the car itself has been the main star.

In 1964 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang a book by Ian Fleming was first published. The book was later made into classic movie with Dick Van Dyke in the lead role but of course the real star of the movie was the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The movie was essentially for children but it is one of those films that are entertaining for the whole family.

In 1969 we saw three Mini's weaving through the traffic jammed streets of Turin in the fabulous The Italian Job starring Michael Caine. The red white and blue Mini's were without doubt the stars of the movie which was later remade in 2003 and starred Mark Wahlberg.

In 1983 John Carpenters Christine was released. This was a story of a possessed regenerating car hell bent on killing. Arnie Cunningham played by Keith Gordon finds a Plymouth Fury in need of restoration. As Arnie rebuilds Christine he begins to change himself transforming from shy and nerdy to over confident and arrogant.

Possibly one of the most enduring and lovable of all cars in the movies is Herbie. Sporting the number 53 Herbie a Volkswagen Beetle has made five movies dating back to 1969 with his latest outing recently in 2005 starring Lindsay Lohan. The comical exploits of Herbie have won many peoples hearts with the main plot lines being David and Goliath natured.

Today cars in movies are still big box office draws. Pixar have recently released a movie witch features only cars in the line up. The animated adventures of Lightning McQueen voiced by Owen Wilson are hilarious and not too be missed.

Whilst we still drive cars in our lives there is no doubt they will be in our movies for years to come.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

How To Decide If You Need An Extended Warranty For Your Car

By: Gregg Hall

Your vehicle dreams have come true. You are now the proud owner of a brand new Ford Mustang, but as you sign the last remaining forms, the car salesman asks you if you are interested in purchasing an extended warranty for your vehicle. Initially, you think that the cost is a little too high for you, and that you will never need it. Your vehicle is brand new, and the technological and engineering marvel of the market today. What could possibly go wrong?

Unfortunately, your lofty ideas of vehicle invulnerability are flawed. There is more risk to owning a vehicle than you think. Somewhere out there in that world of automobile chaos, is a vehicle door waiting to ding your vehicle in a parking lot. You should consider buying the extended warranty, because the cost of the warranty now is considerably less than the cost of a whole new transmission, should it decide to malfunction.

Before you make a final decision regarding the extended warranty, you should consider whether or not you will have the money in the future to pay for any eventuality that isn't covered by the manufacturer's warranty. Not having a warranty for your vehicle is like being a stuntman without health insurance, it isn't a smart move. In order to get a grasp of the severity of your need for a warranty, take a gander at the list of parts that your vehicle needs to function. Thousands! If any one of them fails, the system that particular part is a part of can fail and leave you high and dry. That extended warranty is looking a little better now, isn't it?

Part Repair is Cheaper than Vehicle Replacement

Take my advice; I'm the CEO of a small business with a fleet of vehicles. I have personally bought over 18 vehicles in the past 2 years. With all the vehicle buying I do, I realize that buying the extended warranty is a good deal, so I do. It doesn't matter if the vehicle is new or used; I know that the cost of the warranty is substantially cheaper than replacing a vital part when it breaks. Consider, not only the cost of the repair, but also the time needed to do it. This means that your vehicle is out of service for weeks, and you have to go through the hassle of bumming a ride everywhere.

I was lucky. Purchasing extended warranties on my vehicles has saved me tons of money. Fortunately, I haven't had to use my warranty for more than a few repairs, but those are repairs that I didn't have to pay for out of pocket. In the long run, the extended warranties have saved my company from capital loss, over and over again. I can tell you, it's nice to know that my vehicles are covered if the unfortunate should happen.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Some Tips To Help You Find Quality BMW Parts And Accessories

By: Gregg Hall

If you ask a soccer mom if the car she always desired was the mini van that she's currently driving, the answer would probably be a resounding no. Everyone has a car that they have dreamed of owning their whole lives. Some people like old classics, like a '57 Chevy or a '69 Ford Mustang. Other people, such as those with high aspirations, dream of owning a Maserati or Jaguar. Another luxury car at the top of the list for those who want to tool around in style is the BMW. These cars represent status and those who are fortunate enough to own one, drive it proudly, smiling at all of the admiring glances that they get while on the road. Owning one of these cars can symbolize a dream come true, but sometimes that dream can become a nightmare if the car breaks down and the owner has to find parts for it.

If you are in search of quality parts for your BMW, you want to know where to find the best parts for your model of car. It doesn't matter what you need to replace, whether its engine parts, alternator, transmission, exhaust, or mirrors, you will want to know where to find them at economical prices.

Without a doubt, the best place to get BMW parts is through a certified dealer. You can count on them having the part you need in stock, or they will order the appropriate ones for your car. Despite the quality of service and selection, the prices are a little steep for the average consumer. Still some people choose to purchase their parts directly from the dealer so that they know the parts are really BMW parts and not knock-offs. Nothing is worse than paying top dollar for bargain basement parts. In this case, knowing that they are genuine is definitely worth the price.

If you decide to buy your BMW parts from the dealer, you can count on the knowledge and expertise they can provide you. It goes without saying that the mechanics at the dealership will know more about your car part needs than you, and can even assist you with your replacement needs.

If the out-of-pocket cost is more than you want to pay then maybe you should try purchasing your parts online. The internet has thousands of auto part dealers online who offer BMW parts without the BMW costs. The downside to purchasing online is that you run the risk of buying from a dealer who knows less about BMW parts than you. While you are cruising around on the information super highway, you might want to look around for the "how-to" guide for your vehicle. These guides, while not offering you BMW parts, will let you know how to install them when you get them.

While you are tooling around looking for your BMW parts, you might want to keep your eyes peeled for great deals on fabulous accessories for your BMW. Looking online for your parts and accessories is probably the easiest way to go about it. Take some time to do the research and find the best prices for the necessary parts, you won't regret it. Your BMW and your pocketbook will thank you for all your hard work.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

How To Save Big Money On Repairs And Auto Parts

By: David Maillie

We all know it is cheaper to fix things yourself. It is the same with a car or truck. The biggest expense with any repair is not the parts, but the labor. It is not uncommon for repair and service shops to be charging $60 to $70 per hour of labor. And they round to the next half hour or hour for any repair. Just go to any new car dealer and ask to have your windshield wiper blades replaced. They will charge you 10 times the price of replacements at your local auto parts store. So anything you can do yourself to save will be a big help. The purpose of this article is to show you some things you can do on your own and how to get the lowest prices on parts so you can save big and put your money towards something better than fattening your local auto dealers pockets.

First off is routine maintenance. Routine maintenance consists of items like oil changes, tire rotations, and similar. Oil changes are a must at every 4000 to 5000 miles for most every car. Do not go by what your dealer says. They want to rev up your maintenance plan and have you doing more than is required. Instead, use your owners manual. If your car did not come with one, than buy one off of Ebay. The owners manual will give you exact recommendations for every service and when and what should be done. For oil changes use Walmart. They charge around $15 for a oil and filter change and will lube your chassis at the same time. They will also check your tires and change your air filter if you desire or need it. They have the best service for the lowest price and at $15 its better to have them do it than do it yourself. Expect to pay twice this at a new car dealer.

It is also a good idea to check your tire pressure at every gas fill up. A tire pressure gauge can be purchased at Walmart or any auto parts store for a few dollars. Proper tire pressure will prolong the usefulness of your tires and help ensure better fuel economy. To most people a under inflated tire is pretty obvious, but a over inflated tire can be just as dangerous as it can lead to blowouts and loss of traction especially in wet conditions (hydroplaning). Also, check your tires for nails, punctures, slashes, anything that could be wrong with it. If you need new tires, be sure to shop around and avoid the new car dealer as they will have a huge markup on them. For instance, 1 ZR Goodyear tire for a 2002 Ford Mustang GT was $289. The same ZR tire with a different make (Kumho) was $100 installed and balanced (the $289 at the dealer did not include installation or balancing. Shop around and look at discount stores. Also look at Costco, Sams club and BJs for tires. If you have an older car and do not care about matching the exact style you can always go to your local junk yard and buy an entire set for dirt cheap. You would be amavzed at what you might find there. A friend of mine picked up 4 tires for a 1999 corvette for $150 and the tires only had maybe 10,000 miles on them if that.

Lights and lighting on your car are an item that is routinely overlooked. If your lights are dim you could have a battery charge, alternator or dim, cloudy lenses. These are all easy to fix. A battery should be checked for its ability to hold charge at least once a year (more in extremely cold climates). An alternator can be replaced very easily, or if you do not feel comfortable a local mechanic can do it. Do not do this at a new car dealer as they will charge at least 300% more. A good tip is to go and buy the part at your local auto parts store and then inquire with the counter clerk as to a mechanic that they recommend to install it. You will save a lot and it will be professionally done. They will probably even come to your house to do it. As to your headlights, turn on your lights. If they are dim, is it the bulb or cloudy lenses? If it is the bulb, the cheapest replacements can be found at Walmart or on Ebay. It is recommended you go with brighter Xeon bulbs as they are only a few dollars more and increase brightness and night visibility by over 20 percent. If it is cloudy headlights there is a new headlight repair and restoration kit that will restore the lenses to new. This will save you big over replacement as the average plastic automotive lens costs $250 to replace.

Checking your fluid levels routinely is a good idea. A lot of cars now will do this for you and will even alert you to when it is time to perform a certain service. It takes 2 minutes to unscrew the oil cap and pull out the dipstick. On older cars you should also look under the cap. Is the oil really dirty, sludge like, or have white in it? These all indicate something needs to be done. The first two mean it is in dire need of an oil change. The latter with the whiteness or light chocolate look means you have a blown head gasket and coolant is leaking into the engine. That is really bad and requires major repairs and can be the result of running a car too hot. Fill all fluids to the fuel full line or indicator. By routinely checking your cars fluid levels you will be ahead of the game and keep your car running better and for much longer.

Another great idea to keep service costs to a minimum and save you big at the same time is to buy 1 to 3 year old used cars with around 30,000 miles on them. Then drive them until you get 100,000 miles on it and replace it. Most major repairs rarely occur before 100,000 miles with proper routine maintenance. Use and follow your owners manual. It was written by the ultimate expert, the people who built, designed and tested your car.

Monday, May 31, 2010

Exterior: Paint is in nice condition and the body is perfectly straight, never been wrecked. Rear bumper is straight but shows it's age in the chrome, presentable, but not perfect.The original windshield has a few small rock chips in it. All lights and blinkers are functional and in good shape.

Interior: Seats are in great shape as is the dash pad and all instrumentation in the dash. Still has the original am radio in working order. Shifter is in good condition although a little loose, the bushing inside can be replaced to remedy this problem. It still has the original factory carpet that doesen't have the wear holes on the drivers side that are usually associated with high mileage cars, carpet is faded though and should probably be replaced eventually. Headliner has one seam that came apart and will need to be repaired or replaced.

Drivetrain: We believe the engine to be original and runs very smooth and strong, no leaks under the car to stain your garage floor. Has new tires with less than 100 miles on them. When Dad first purchased the car he made a few small upgrades. First he didn't like the way the car sounded so he had a new exhaust system professionally installed. It sounds right, not too loud but just enough to give it that muscle car sound. Second he didn't like the way the car shifted so he had the C6 rebuilt with a shift kit down at the local A-1 Transmission shop, they did a great job. He also replaced the carb with a new edelbrock carb. Car rides and handles smooth and the power disk brakes perform flawlessly.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Great Tips on Lowering Auto Insurance Costs

By: David Maillie

With car sales prices continuously increasing, recent hikes in gas prices, and ever present sales and state taxes on our cars it has become vitally important to find ways to save money and keep costs down.

One way to save money is to monitor your auto insurance and make sure you are getting the best deal possible. This may sound trivial, but can easily add up to savings of hundreds and possibly even thousands of dollars over the next few years.

First make sure you are taking advantage of all discounts available to you through your insurance provider. Many insurance companies have good driver history discounts. If you haven't been in an accident or made a claim in several years make sure your agent adds this deduction - typical savings are 5-15% (easily $100-$400+ in savings per year).

For an additional discount some insurance companies like Progressive and Geico offer discounts for sponsored driving classes. Make sure you check with your insurance company to see which ones it accepts. Many of these classes are free or offered at minimal cost by your local DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) or DOT (Department of Transportation). For a listing, contact your insurance company and then your state departments (DMV and DOT). These classes also work great for reducing points on your license from minor infractions (speeding, running a red light, etc...). Definitely get as many points taken off as possible. These points can increase your insurance rates 50-100% or more in some cases.

Some insurance companies like Geico, Allstate, and Progressive have recently come out with good student discounts. The requirements can vary so be sure to check with your insurance company. This could amount to an additional savings of 5-10% on your annual premium. Keep in mind traffic offenses can and will nullify this and most other discounts, so drive safely.

Shop around for the best rate. I can't stress this enough. Every few years just check and see what other insurers are offering. You could see huge savings here and it may have nothing to do with your driving record. Some insurers just have lower claims for a particular model car and therefore will have a lower rate for that car. Just to see the difference call several insurance companies for quotes. You will see a huge range.

When I had a 2000 Ford Mustang GT convertible I was paying over $4000 per year in insurance with Allstate then I checked and found Progressive offered the same coverage for only $1400 (a 75% difference in my premium). Now, that's not to say that Allstate is a bad insurer, they just have higher claim costs associated with that vehicle and a driver of my age. So, make sure you shop around and definitely check the online insurers like Progressive and Geico as they tend to have lower premiums. Also see what impact raising your deductible will have on lowering your premium.

These items might also seem trivial, but will save you money. Pick a car with lower theft rates and lower premiums. A 4 door 4 cylinder car (Toyota Corolla) will almost always have a much lower premium than the latest 8 cylinder 2 seater sports car (Mustang GT (2+ 2 seating)). It will also get you better gas mileage which in a year could amount to a savings of hundreds of dollars in it self. Stay away from convertibles as they always have higher insurance premiums. Drop unnecessary coverage like collision on an older car. Also stay away from cars with high theft rates (Honda Civics and Accords tend to have some of the highest theft rates and unfortunately you will pay for that with higher premiums and don't think you won't.)

One more thing, don't speed, don't drive drunk (I don't need to tell you what that will cost you (it could even cost you your life), stop for all school buses, wear your seat belt and obey the rules of the road. You will be glad you did.

Author Resource:-> David Maillie is an alumni of Cornell University and specializes in automotive safety products and information. He holds numerous patents and awards for his patented headlight cleaner and restorer. For more information please visit MDWholesale.com

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Featured in Modified Fords & Mustangs Magazine (9/09) and Canadian Hot Rod Magazine (6/09-front cover), As seen on Car Crazy spring, 2010. Multiple awards: MCA (Mustang Club of America)-Best Modified, numerous "Best-In-Show", over 40 trophies and counting!Designed and built by Don Gasuinas, (Canada's 'Chip Foose'), this stunning and highly driveable resto-mod (restored & highly modified) 1970 Mach 1 Mustang is a show winner everywhere it appears. This completely unique, extemely poweful, bright red beauty is a joy to drive. It has been designed for a trouble free, low maintenance drivng experience. The brilliant finish, wide, low stance and perfect growl will get you neck-breaking attention at any event and on any street. Guaranteed! A cut above - way above - all the rest.Beginning with a rust-free, low mileage original 1970 Mach 1, Don added 21st century technology to get the best of both worlds. The contemporary, sophisticated drive train, suspension and interior were encased in the original exciting Mach 1 body. That body also recieved numerous styling and functional improvements using the best professional fabricators, craftsmen and technicians in the business. No expense was spared in choosing the best of everything after painstaking research.This hand-crafted stunner has only a few miles on it since completion and is in flawless conditon. It has been stored indoors in a climate-controled facility.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Muscle Cars: Cars With An Attitude

By: Alex Baumm

Eleanor is not a person but a muscle car. This Gone in 60 Seconds 1967 Mustang is the complete embodiment of what muscle cars are all about.

Usually powered by a V8 engine, muscle cars were monsters of drag racing world back in the 1960 s until early portion of 1980 s. With extremely powerful torque, these cars are really going to give you a jaw dropping ride. Muscle cars are no doubt fast cars with high horse power capability.

The moment you look at such cars, the first things you will see are their bulky curves and high performance z rated tires which are true affirmation of the reputation that muscle autos are very much known of.

Muscle cars are different from sports cars we have today though some models are inspired by cars like the Ford Mustang. Though sports cars are fast cars like muscle autos, they surely won t last a minute with the supreme torque that muscle autos have which perhaps makes Eleanor the perfect Gone in 60 Seconds car.

The interiors of muscle cars are real statement of high performance, road warrior type of vehicle. The almost nil sign of elegance and the all heart pumping design of muscle autos interiors match their rock and revving integrity that many a cars today try to copy but all in futility.

The moment you turn it on, you can t help but notice the fiery breathing of muscle car s engine. The hissing and guzzling is like that of a dragon sleeping always ready to get the tracks burning.

When you hit the gas, the dragon s V8 engine charges in an instant ready to devour all things that block its way... just like when vin Diesel of The Fast and The Furious rages against the wall and hits the road with such awesome roar.

If what you are looking for is the car with an attitude that never allows being a second rater, muscle autos are the right choice. But prepare to be awestruck with the price because as of now it s of a collector s item kind of thing since you can not easily find one in the market.

However, there are companies and groups that want to bring back muscle cars on the road and these groups are actually buying old muscle autos and reconditioning them to make them roadworthy again.

There are a number of reconditioned muscle cars that can still be found nowadays. There is the all time favorite 1966 GT 40, 1970 Superbird, 1968 Shelby GT500KR Fastback or 1969 Barracuda Convertible. These models of cars were once kings of the road in the 1960 s up to early part of 1980 s.

Although muscle autos are now rare species, there are a number of clubs that relive the greatness of muscle cars. These groups stage races and events all with the purpose of having some fun and reminiscing those days when muscle autos ruled the streets.

And thanks to the Internet, people around the world who share common interest in muscle cars now have a dependable means to showcase the glory of muscle autos and allow the younger generation to see the real muscle in high performance driving via muscle cars.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

This is a 1969 Mustang Fastback, Original Indian Fire Red, 302 auto, air car. Years ago someone converted it to a Big Block - 4 speed, I believe the big block was installed many, many years ago, The block is a 30 over 390 with a 427 crank, the motor was pulled and inspected, the mains ,rods and pistons all looked fine, we put a new oil pickup, timing chain and gears, Fresh rebuilt GT 390 Heads (14 bolt), correct 390 Exhaust manifolds, Complete new exhaust, New correct radiator, New Hurst Shifter, correct hoses, Eldbrock Intake and Holley 4 barrel. Everything was cleaned and painted. The part # found on the Crank- C-4AE-B,The paint on the car is older, it is a brighter red than the original Indian Fire, I think the car was painted after the big block was installed, I would guess that is when the car was cloned to a Mach 1,The paint has great shine and looks good, with just a few imperfections. There are a few small rock chips that have been touched up ,the very bottom of both doors have a couple waves in them. Door jambs are decent. Over all the paint is about a 7 on a scale of 10, nice driver quality, There is no rust on the car. The bumpers are Original and showing their age ,the front bumper has some small pitting and a couple scratches on the bottom side of the bumper, rear bumper is also showing a small amount of pitting, however they still look fine on the old car. Marker light are also original. I think if you spent $10,000.00 on new paint, probably 8 out of 10 people would no notice the difference.The interior has also been changed over to a Mach 1, Deluxe door panels are nice, new dash pad, seat covers ,carpet. Nice original console, AM/FM 8 track, all work, interior lights, turn signals, brake lights work as they should. The original Rim Blow steering wheel is also in place and showing its age, some of the inside trim pieces are missing. However it still looks better than an aftermarket replacement. Speedo is not working at this time.The bottom of the car is very solid, all new front suspension nicely detailed, new bushings, sway bar links, front disc brakes, rear air shocks, new power brake booster and master cylinder. Wheels are nice Torque Thrust with new BF Goodrich Radial TA,s 215/65-15,the trunk is also nicely detailed.So basically what we have is a nice OLDER big block Mach 1 Clone. Over all the old car is really nice. It has a great stance, the paint shines, and the car is very nicely detailed, it has everything you want , it,s RED, it,s a BIG BLOCK, AND 4 SPEED. The motor is fresh. Interior is nice, car is clean and nicely detailed under the hood. The runs out great, shifts and stops great.